I'm Anna Dominique S. Espejo and I'm feeling optimistic and motivated right now. There are two principles/mottos I live by: "Take small steps everyday because 0.1% progress is better than no progress at all." and "What's meant to be will always find a way."

I am Franz Robert F. Estampador but my friends used to call me “Franz” for short. I feel grateful right now for the opportunity to help and to make someone’s day better. Also, I feel hopeful that despite the difficulty of studying medicine, I know that I will thrive, and I am doing it for a greater purpose. The motto that helps me go through my journey in YL3 is “If you fall during life, get up and start again”.

Padayon kag paglaum sa gihapon!

My name is Maricar Gamayot.
Right now, I’m feeling excited and motivated for the incoming semester.
One of the principles I live by in YL3 is: "Growth begins at the end of your comfort zone."

Looking forward to learning and growing with all of you in this course!

That’s why I hold on to a verse that guides me:

Jeremiah 29:11

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.”

Through this verse, I am reminded that God will never leave me nor forsake me.

I am Carlos Miguel V. Evangelista. Navigating through this career path is challenging as it is fun. With loads of different topics to learn and memorize, we are being tested to be a better version of ourselves with each adversity thrown at us; be it something major like examinations or preceptorials, or something minor like, waking up in the morning on time or choosing where to eat lunch. This journey is one that I will treasure and hold dear as I continue forward on this path. Hoping to an interactive class full of learnings!

With that said, the principle I currently live by in YL3 is "Honor the sacrifices, embrace the journey". Through this, I push myself further.

I look forward to learning with all of you in this course.

Perseverance and faith go hand in hand — is what I believe to be the principle that I live by. Trust in God's plan, and keep pushing forward with hope and determination through the rough path ahead of me. Every challenge has a purpose, and even when things seem impossible, God's grace and my own resilience will see me through.

My name is Meryl Antoinette Bolos. As the year starts, it has been very much a rollercoaster ride for me. As a student leader, it was a challenge balancing academics with org responsibilities. Nonetheless, it is through passion that we are able to make full of this life.

Wishing it were easier takes away the essence of what makes the journey meaningful. Hoping for ease diminishes our growth. After all, we learn not just from our breakthroughs, but from our breakdowns as well.

The motto I always stick by is, "Trust the Process". Even if everything feels so unclear and challenging, just trust yourself and a path will be open for you. Have faith in the journey but do not forget that there is fun in the journey!

"Life is a highway, well I wanna ride it all night long" - Cars (2006)

"Huwag magalala, buhay ay 'di karera" - Bini (2024)

Life throws its fair share of challenges, but I see them as stepping stones rather than roadblocks. Every hurdle just makes me more hopeful, more motivated, and more determined to become the person I aspire to be.

As Walt Disney once said, ‘All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.’ And that’s exactly what I’m doing, chasing my dreams. One exam at a time. :)

As for my motto/principle, I think it would be "You don't have to be great when you begin, but you must begin if you want to be great." reminds me that every journey starts with a single step. It’s okay to start small or imperfect—what matters is having the courage to begin. With persistence and effort, greatness will follow. :))

Mistakes made? It is what it is. Learn. Improve. Move forward.

Regrets in life? It is what it is. Take the lesson, then let go.

Wrong decisions? It is what it is. Make the best out of it.

Anxious about a missed deadline? Apologize, beg for mercy (doc pls), then It is what it is.

Don't get me wrong, it is what it is should never be an excuse to stay the same. The goal? Always be better than the person you were yesterday. It’s time to retire from my Olympic career in procrastination and start winning at self-improvement instead!

Everything’s just occurring all at once, and it's crazy how life unfolds right before my eyes. Regardless of what life throws at me, I never fail to keep a heart of gratitude.

Had it not been for the adversaries I went through the past few months; I wouldn’t be able to meet the strongest version of Carissa. I've seen her filled with strength as she faced life headstrong.

And so, if there’s but one thing that life has taught me, it is to not let your fear cause you to miss out on things that your future self would thank you for. No matter how painful life gets, and even messy at times, know that these are the avenue in finding the pieces of yourself.

And so, I would like to thank the version of Carissa in this picture for picking herself up time and again. The past and future version of myself would be beyond grateful to the person I am choosing to be, today.

I will always hold onto my Lord’s promise, that He has a lotttt of great things in store for me and they’re just a little further down the road. (Isaiah 55:8-9) In His time, all of my tears will turn into testimonies.

It's not easy to put into words how I've been feeling the past year. It's a mixture of anxiety and excitement. Anxious of what lies ahead but also excited to head towards it. A motto I've been telling myself to ease my anxiety is "baby steps to giant strides". Those words are what I live by in year level 3. These baby steps, or the lessons I learn this year, will turn into giant strides that will turn me into the future physician I'm trying to be.